Natick: Shortage of human services workers on the horizon

NATICK - Local lawmakers pledged Friday to continue efforts to support human services workers as they recognized their importance and the need to attract more people to those careers.

They "have some of the most difficult and demanding work in the commonwealth," state Rep. Chris Walsh, D-Framingham, said at the MetroWest Human Services Advocacy Coalition's annual legislative breakfast at the Natick Elks. "It is also one of the poorest paid, least recognized types of work that’s out there. I think we need to stand this particular paradigm on its head."

The breakfast comes after a report from the Providers' Council found that the human services industry will likely need to fill 24,000 to 25,000 new jobs between 2014 and 2024, and many of those jobs will likely be lower paying positions such as home health and personal care aides. The number of elderly and disabled people is growing, increasing demand for human services.

Staffing shortages hamper organizations' ability to respond to changing and growing needs, and increase the likelihood clients will experience delays in receiving services, according to the report.

Meanwhile, organizations are struggling to fill open positions now. At Framingham-based Advocates, for example, there are about 200 openings, President and CEO Diane Gould said after the breakfast.

Gould said many workers at organizations such as hers, which receives state funding to help provide services, move on to higher-paying jobs at state agencies. One bill would give organizations more funding so they can pay their workers the same amount as comparable state workers earn.

Other bills highlighted at the breakfast look to create more health insurance options for employers and employees and help some human services workers repay higher education loans.

"If we don’t pay more attention to this, we’re going to have a significant shortage in this area," said state Rep. Jeffrey Roy, D-Franklin.

Roy, a lead sponsor of the loan repayment bill, said officials must ensure "this workforce is recognized and paid according to the services that are provided."

State Sen. Karen Spilka, D-Ashland, knows the value of human service workers firsthand because her late sister, Susie, had Down syndrome and Alzheimer's disease.

Spilka will fight for increased salaries for human services workers and use her voice and experience to tell colleagues how vital the workforce is, she said.

The state is facing another challenging budget development process and uncertainty about federal funding for environmental, public health and other initiatives, Spilka cautioned.

Lawmakers supported a variety of other initiatives, including tackling the opioid crisis, responding to changing federal immigration policies and better supporting children, people with disabilities and the homeless.

State Rep. Brian Murray, D-Milford, highlighted efforts by Milford police to get drug addicts counseling and other treatment.

"These folks aren’t criminals," Murray said. "They’re victims."

Drug dealers still face criminal charges, he said.

Responding to a question about housing, state Rep. Carmine Gentile, D-Sudbury, emphasized the importance of multi-family developments in making housing more affordable and plentiful.

State Reps. David Linsky, D-Natick, and Jack Lewis, D-Framingham, also said they support the work and priorities of the human services industry.

"Nothing could make me more excited than to continue to walk with you on this journey," Lewis said.

Several human services workers received recognition at the breakfast. Oscar Landaverde of Wayside Tempo Young Adult Resource Center received the MetroWest Outstanding Human Services Professional Award. The late Louis Miller, of South Middlesex Opportunity Council, was recognized for his patience, compassion and humility. Rachael Adeola, Martin Segran and Christiel Podieu of Justice Resource Institute were honored for their response to a fire at a group home.

Legal advocate Claudia Segura, of SMOC, read an open letter to lawmakers bemoaning in part the national tenor about undocumented immigrants, who she said are afraid to leave their homes or report crimes for fear of being separated from their family and deported.

Brian Benson can be reached at 508-626-3964 or bbenson@wickedlocal.com. Follow him on Twitter @bbensonmwdn.

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